Exciting times on MT, between this build and EO2K's. Two of the best recent builds I've seen. Lots of details, and lots of interaction, and lots of doing it right the first time. Thanks to both of you. Much of what you are doing is over my head and over my needs, but definintely fun to "watch".

 

There's a guy looking for some seat time in Red if I ever saw it. Tied up this coming weekend. How about the weekend after Justin?

 

Nice car- that track looks like fun!

What kind of oil are you running? I've had good luck reducing consumption switching to heavier weight oil (5w-40). Went from about 1 quart per track day down to 1/2. Not fixed, but better.

 

I was running Rotella T-5 10W30 semi-syn because I was breaking in a camshaft. Switching to T-6 5W40 for next time out. It definitely needs a heavier oil.

 

Brakes ducted. This picture also shows the heavy duty sway bar mounts. I need to seal the tow hook cutout in the OEM air guide -- a bit of foam should do it.


Replaced the window regulator. Old one was jammed by a frayed cable. While I was at it, also installed a Project G quarter window for additional driver cooling (Project-G - www.projectgla.com). It is TX, you know.




Now that the window rolls up, gave the car a little love (wash and wax):


Found a use for the dash hole:


Big weight reduction win. Replaced the AGM battery with a Battery Tender brand Lithium Ion battery (http://www.summitracing.com/parts/dt...300c/overview/). Saves about 22 pounds. When you pick up the Lithium Ion battery, you would swear it's made from styrofoam. It didn't even register on the bathroom scale (Summit says 2.1 pounds).

 

Ha, someone finally found a decent use for the passenger air bag, nice.

 

LOL. I can actually reach it from the driver's seat (although I do have to unbuckle).

 

ahem....
https://www.miataturbo.net/build-thr...5/#post1003538

 

Fantastic car. I'm trying to get my brother to go this route (lightweight NA w/ N/A 1.8). How would you compare the driving experience between your cars?

 

For a track car that you want to pound on without worry, this is the way to go.

Car's feel similar on track. The Silver car obviously has more torque. This one has more grip. Last time I was out on the MSR-C 1.7CW in the Silver car, I was doing 1:29s. On Friday in the Red car, I was doing 1:29s (its second outing and still on Konis and weak springs -- should get Xidas this week . . . yay!).

Did 4 long sessions on Friday (one session was 40 full minutes -- wore my a$$ out!). Yesterday, the car did 13 20-minute sessions as two drivers double teamed it at an event. That's nearly 6 and a half hours at speed over two days. It never missed a beat (although I think we blew out the resonator). If anything, it just kept getting stronger. I'm thrilled. Maximum seat time.

Another wierd thing. Oil consumption has decreased quite a bit. Trying to figure that one out.

Pulled the Silver car's engine today to start fixing that. When I get it back together, I'll get some comparison track data. Should be an interesting comparison. Of course, the AC on the Silver car works a lot better. LOL.

 

Awesome build. I'm at the point in my project where I'm trying to decide whether to keep the stock water / oil cooler setup and all those little hoses you mentioned. I'm doing a coolant reroute but haven't yet decided whether to cap the small coolant passage at the back of the head and at the mixing manifold or keep the stock oil cooler or add air/oil cooler. Your pictures really help me visualize everything seeing how my car is located 350 miles away from me right now.

 

I like getting rid of as many failure points as possible. Only coolant leaks I've ever had in Miatas has been from the little lines. I'm not sure how effective the water/oil exchanger is. Seems that most track guys dump it and use an external air/oil cooler.

So far with the components I have, street driving in hot conditions I settle at 190F for water and 210F for oil. Track driving in hot conditions I settle at 190-200F for water and 250F for oil. This is with Rotella T6.

 

I'll be tied up next weekend with a family get together, then schooling the week/weekend following that.

Have the seen the storm trooper NB for sale parked outside of JCS right by Good Year? I hate having to pass by it every day. I'm about to move my new build out of the corner and focus on giving it some attention here soon. It's 37 years old and needs some TLC, I don't want to reveal it just yet but I am looking forward to this build!

 

Yes, I've seen that NB. Looks nice.

37 years old . . . 1977. Hmmmmm . . . . Trans Am?

 

Go hood chicken or go home!

 

I love that little battery. I think I would prefer a larger one with higher amps.

 

The one I got is 300CCA (vs. the OEM Miata I replaced which was 320CCA). Subjectively, it has no problem cranking the car. I think they do have a more powerful one though.

 

The reserve is the more important part.

300cca vs 320 is not a significant difference.... but the number of times that each will put that out is.

Not that its a big deal for a track car, but if you let the car sit for a week and there is a little draw on it from say a stereo memory or something it could make for a slow start.

 

I think in your case it is no problem.

I will be pulling way more amps when running an electric water pump, big low pressure fuel pump, etc. I suspect I would need a bit more battery to properly power them all.

 

Here you go bitches!! Hot off the presses -- Xida CS Generation 2: